Dona Sa Maria Guesthouse, Goa

The Dona Sa Maria in Goa is a wonderful little family-run guesthouse which has quite obviously had hours of devotion given to it by Serafino and Purie, its proud owners. Serafino once told us that he had always wanted his own hotel and it was like a dream come true when he finally built it, complete with swimming pool and gardens. The ‘La Afra’ outdoor garden restaurant and bar within the grounds attracts guests from some of the larger hotels due to the wide-ranging and delicious home-cooked dishes on the menu. The Dona Sa Maria is situated opposite a section of beach which is very occasionally used by the Indian Navy for manoeuvres, which are interesting to watch whilst you sit back with that cool drink in the shade.

The beach most popular with guests is a 1.5km or 15-minute stroll (or a ride in Serafino's jeep!). The walk down to the sands is actually through the village of Tamborim with its rustic farmhouses surrounded by snorting pigs, goats, cows, chickens, and all manner of rural goings-on! However, it bears little in common with 'The Archers' with the women and children lifting water from wells in clay pots. Paddy fields and saltpans surround the guesthouse itself and the variety of birdlife in the area is quite unbelievable.

The twin rooms at the Dona Sa Maria Resort have an en-suite shower & WC, ceiling fan, and a balcony or terrace. Serafino has also built two properties next to the hotel with the same facilities and sometimes clients are offered accommodation there. Serafino is striving to recycle all waste from the hotel and should be held as an example to all guesthouse owners in Goa. All rooms are offered on a Half-Board basis with an allowance of Rs. 235/- per person per day to be used towards food chosen from the hotel menu for dinner. Children up to 12 years are on bed and continental breakfast basis only. Christmas and New Year festive meals are included.

Reception offers a money exchange facility, safety deposit boxes (payable locally) and bicycle hire. The Dona Sa Maria Guesthouse has the largest number of repeat visitors of any property in our brochure; it can't come any more highly recommended than that! More than 80 species of birds have been spotted in the area, so this is also the perfect location for avid bird watchers.

27 rooms in 3 buildings on 2 floors.

Transfer time (approx) : 75 minutes.